Experiences and psychological well‐being of language brokers in Australia: A mixed methods approach

Abstract

Objective

The following mixed methods study aimed to decipher the factors influencing the psychological wellbeing of language brokers. Specifically, ethnic identity, attitudes towards brokering, family connectedness, and high intensity brokering situations were examined.

Method

One hundred and twenty four individuals completed surveys in either paper pencil format or online. Six survey participants also volunteered to participate in semi‐structured interviews.

Results

The quantitative results revealed ethnic identity and attitudes towards brokering positively correlated with psychological wellbeing, no support was found for family connectedness or for brokering in high intensity contexts. The moderating effects of ethnic identity, attitudes, and family connectedness on the relationship between high intensity brokering and wellbeing were not supported by the quantitative analysis. Emerging themes from the six interviews provided insight into familial relationships, community connection, and multicultural Australia with the sub‐themes of acceptance and non‐acceptance of diversity.

Conclusion

These results support the current policies requiring health services and legal aid to provide free interpreters for individuals not fluent in English. Additionally, these results my assist in government bodies and policy makers providing additional support and resources to language brokers in the home setting and the community.

Key words:

• attitudes
• ethnicity
• family connectedness
• language brokering
• migration
• well‐being

The authors wish to acknowledge Western Sydney University for supporting this research and Dr Peter Jonason for his comments, feedback and suggestions on the revised draft.

The authors wish to acknowledge Western Sydney University for supporting this research and Dr Peter Jonason for his comments, feedback and suggestions on the revised draft.

Notes

The authors wish to acknowledge Western Sydney University for supporting this research and Dr Peter Jonason for his comments, feedback and suggestions on the revised draft.